2022 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Thermoelectric Conversion Improvement of Co-Free Skutterudite Through a Multiscale Approach
| Project/Area Number |
22F22756
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Research Institution | Shibaura Institute of Technology |
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Principal Investigator |
Mele Paolo 芝浦工業大学, 工学部, 教授 (70608504)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
LATRONICO GIOVANNA 芝浦工業大学, SIT総合研究所, 外国人特別研究員
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| Project Period (FY) |
2022-11-16 – 2025-03-31
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| Keywords | Skutterudites / doping / filler / SPS / quenching / thermoelectrics |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
An attempt of preparing the double filled skutterudites of composition (Sm,Nd)y(FexNi1-x)4Sb12 was made. Due to the small quantity of fillers, we tried, in collaboration with Genova University, to prepare a precursor Sm0.15Nd0.5Sb0.8 to reduce the error in the amount of rare earths. Unfortunately, after preparing the skutterudites and analyzing it via XRD and SEM, we found out that the precursor was contaminated with Ta, coming from the crucible used for the synthesis. So, waiting for the purchase of some Nd, the fellow successfully prepared three samples of skutterudite doped with Sn: Smy(FexNi1-x)4Sb11.5Sn0.5
The three samples were prepared following the directions of collaborators which have recently studied the crossover of the system: X= 0.45 as n-type semiconductor; X = 0.55 as n-p crossover semiconductor; X = 0.65 as p-type semiconductor.
Samples were then ground, sieved and densified by SPS (500 ℃ for 7 minutes)
Room T Seebeck is promising (about -90 microV/K) and the samples will be sent soon to collaborators at NIMS to measure the thermal conductivity and power factor.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
Due to a contaminated precursor, the first batch of samples of composition (Sm,Nd)y(FexNi1-x)4Sb12 was not suitable for continuing the investigation.
The fellow started with the dopant approach in the meanwhile preparing the composition Smy(FexNi1-x)4Sb11.5Sn0.5.
The custom made apparatus to measure the power factor in the laboratory is not working properly, so samples are going to be sent to collaborators as soon as possible.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
The first step for the future work is to measure the thermoelectric properties of the doped samples belonging to the system Smy(FexNi1-x)4Sb11.5Sn0.5. After the characterization of the bulk, the synthesis will be repeated and targets of 1.5 cm of diameter will be densified via SPS to be used as targets for the thin film deposition via PLD.
In the meanwhile, new tentative of synthetizing multi-filled skutterudites will be done. As for the Sn-doped samples, first the bulks will be studied, and then pellets will be used to deposit thin films.
In the end, the addition of carbon-based nanodefects will be tried in the attempt of reducing the thermal conductivity, as reported for some Co-based skutterudites.
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Research Products
(6 results)
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[Journal Article] Roadmap on thermoelectricity2023
Author(s)
C. Artini, G. Pennelli, P. Graziosi, Z. Li, N. Neophytou, C. Melis, L. Colombo, E. Isotta, K. Lohani, P. Scardi, A. Castellero, M. Baricco, M. Palumbo, S. Casassa, L. Maschio, M. Pani, G. Latronico, P. Mele, and 25 more coauthors
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Journal Title
Nanotechnology
Volume: 34
Pages: 292001～292001
DOI
Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
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